Commander Steel: Get To Know The New Hero Of 'Legends Of Tomorrow'

The hits just keep on coming for DC's Legends Of Tomorrow. First we found out that we would be getting a new Vixen, then we found out that the Legion of Doom would be joining the show, and now we have officially have another member of the Justice Society Of America. It has been announced that iZombie's Matthew MacCaull has will portray Dr. Henry Heywood, better known as Commander Steel. He will join Vixen, Stargirl, Dr. Mid-Nite, Obsidian and Patrick J. Adams' Hourman.

Matthew MacCaull will portray Commander Steel.

While details about the character are being closely guarded, let's take this opportunity to get a little more acquainted with the comic iteration of Commander Steel. Here's everything you need to know about Dr. Henry Heywood Sr.

He Enlisted In The U.S. Marine Corps

Dr. Henry Heywood.

Dr. Henry "Hank" Heywood enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps prior to the United Sates' involvement in World War II. However, he was severely injured when he defended his base from an attack by saboteurs. The explosion almost killed him.

Becoming Steel Saved Heywood's Life

Henry "Hank" Heywood undergoes surgery.

Upon realizing how life-threatening his injuries were, Heywood offered himself up as a "guinea pig" for a cutting edge surgery to be performed by his former professor, Doctor Gilbert Giles. However, this was no ordinary surgery. Giles not only saved his life, he completely rebuilt Heywood, replacing his shattered bones with steel rods, adding a metal casing to his skull and enhancing his joints with mini motors so he could move the steel limbs. He also repaired the internal damage and added a sub-dermal layer of steel alloy which amazingly regrew his burned skin.

Steel Developed Superhuman Abilities

Heywood became "Steel" which saved his life.

The cutting edge rebuild didn't just save Heywood's life, it enhanced it. His steel frame blessed him with superhuman strength, which aided him in lifting heavy objects and taking on powerful enemies. The steel tubing he had for bones as well as the metal casing on his skull also ensured that Commander Steel would be incredibly durable. It wasn't going to be easy to take him down.

The micro-motors in his joints gave him a somewhat limited form of super-speed, allowing him to move quicker than any human being and react quicker to any impending attack. Steel also had superhuman stamina and knew how to fight — you wouldn't want to get hit by this guy!

Commander Steel Fought During World War II

Hero: Commander Steel.

Dr. Giles agreed to keep his newfound abilities a secret while Heywood returned to the war effort. However, due to his injury, he wasn't allowed to go overseas and was instead given a desk job. Having a desire to do more to help, he became frustrated. This frustration ended up costing him the love of Gloria Giles — Dr. Giles' daughter. Unable to resist the urge to help, he created an armored suit and adopted the masked persona "Steel," taking down foreign threats. He was then used as a secret weapon in the war — very much like Marvel's Captain America — and aligned himself with the All-Star Squadron.

He Saved Winston Churchill

Commander Steel with President Roosevelt.

During his time in London, Steel managed to prevent the assassination of Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The attempt was carried out by a costumed Nazi.

After an attempt to capture Hitler went wrong, Steel was imprisoned by Baron Blitzkreig. Blitzkreig would brainwash Steel into carrying out another assassination attempt, this time on both Churchill and President Roosevelt. However, the brainwash was unsuccessful and Steel managed to save Churchill a second time. After this, he is officially given the title "Commander Steel" by Churchill.

Heywood Would Pass The "Steel" On

Hank Heywood III as Steel.

In the comics, we are informed that years after all of this, Heywood has become a wealthy industrialist who incorporated the same mechanized components into his grandson Henry "Hank" Heywood III. Although he disapproved of his grandfather's actions and suggested that the steel may have gone to his brain, Heywood III took up the mantle of Steel and become a hero, alongside Justice League Detroit. However, he would eventually be killed by Professor Ivo.

His grandson's death would force Heywood to return to being Commander Steel. However, he too was killed in a battle with Eclipso. Heroic to the end, he detonated the Sunburst 300 — which was intended to destroy Eclipso — allowing his teammate Nemesis to escape.

One More Steel

Nate Heywood takes up the Steel mantle as Citizen Steel.

When the new Justice Society Of America series debuted, a brand new Steel was announced — Nate Heywood, Henry Heywood's other grandson. Named Citizen Steel, he got his abilities when an attempt by Vandal Savage to destroy the Heywood bloodline went wrong and ended up giving Heywood abilities similar to his grandfather's.

Nate Heywood will also appear on Legends Of Tomorrow, portrayed by Nick Zano. I'm guessing time travel will be involved if Commander Steel will be a similar age as his grandson.

So there you have it, everything you need to know about Commander Steel in time for his appearance on Legends Of Tomorrow. It will be exciting to see yet another iconic comic book character show up in the Arrow-verse. With both the Justice Society of America and the Legion of Doom joining, as well as two different generations of Heywoods, it's certainly going to be an epic year for Legends Of Tomorrow.

Check out the trailer for Legends Of Tomorrow Season 2 below:

Are you excited for Commander Steel's arrival on Legends Of Tomorrow? Let us know in the comments below!